From celebrity and medical experts endorsements, to now lead international scientists, there is no doubt that the benefits of intermittent fasting are real – and it’s quickly become the go-to diet for many in the fitness world.
If you don’t already know, intermittent fasting is an eating schedule where you go without food for a certain amount of time, whether that be for two days or just until after lunch.
Studies have now proved that intermittent fasting can curb cravings, improve blood sugar control, lower inflammation, delay ageing, lower risk of disease and improve mood – not to mention, lose weight faster.
If you would like to discover more about diet and how to give correct advice, sign up for a Precision Nutrition Level 1 certification with IFA today.
After a bit of research ourselves, our team at International Fitness Academy are pretty fond of the 16:8 intermittent diet, which limits food to an eight-hour eating window each day.
The 16:8 diet plan comes with all the benefits of fasting and a whole lot of health benefits, including lowering blood pressure.
But perhaps one of the best benefits is that you can pick your own “eating window.” For example, if you can’t live without breakfast you can slot your food earlier in the day, say from 8am to 4pm, or if you prefer an early dinner, eat in the middle of the day, from 11am to 6pm.
Now, don’t go rushing in to a seven day a week fasting schedule – this is a big no no. Experts believe it’s better to start just a couple of days a week and work your way up from there.
We also encourage you to exercise and drink lots of non-caloric drinks, which research says can starve off hunger. For liquids, that includes water, black coffee, and unsweetened tea.
What’s more, exercising in a fasted state can supercharge your body’s fat-burning potential—but again, listen to your body.
Another hot tip for the 16:8 plan is to stick to clean, whole food, such as proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates from whole food sources.
Will you give it a go?